CHAPTER 3

Introduction
• “Power supply” is somewhat misleading. After all, the Two places to measure power supply output:
power supply in a PC does not actually supply power; it • Molex power connectors
just takes the alternating current (AC) supplied by the ➢ Plug into devices that need 5 or 12 volts of
power company and converts it to the direct current power.
(DC) used by the computer system. ➢ Hard drives and CD- or DVD-media drives
• The power supply in a PC is an electronic device that ➢ Mini connectors also carry 5 or 12 volts
converts the higher voltage—120 volts of alternating ➢ Modern system (floppy drives)
current (VAC) in the United States or 240 VACS outside • Two Motherboard power connector
the United States—into the three power levels of 12, 5, ➢ The 20- or 24-pin P1 and the smaller P4
and 3.3 volts of direct current (VDC) used in today’s PC ➢ Both of these power connectors are used on
systems. motherboards requiring an additional 12 V
• The 12-volt level is traditionally used for devices that power supply
have motors to spin, such as hard drives, floppy drives,
CD-ROM drives, and cooling fans. The power supply tester has LEDs that will glow green for each
• The 5-volt and 3.3-volt power usually supports all of the of the voltages that it passes.
onboard electronics.
• The 5 V connections have a tolerance of ±2 percent
• Modern CPUs often use less than 3.3 volts, so there are
(4.9 to 5.1 V is okay)
further step-down regulators and filters to provide core
• 12 V connections have a tolerance of ±6 percent
voltages as low as 1.4 volts.
(11.25 to 12.75 V is okay).
Electricity
Replacing Power Supply
• A typical AC electrical outlet
• Modern power supplies typically range from 300
o Typical electrical socket has three openings:
watts to 1000 watts or more.
➢ Hot – delivers the juice
• 300-watt power supplies are the bare minimum you
➢ Neutral – act as a drain and returns
would use on a system that has only a few installed
electricity to the local source (the
components (such as a single hard drive and CD- or
breaker panel)
DVD-media drive)
➢ Ground – return excess electricity
• 1000-watt models are usually found on server
to the ground
systems that have multiple hard drives (such as a
• A circuit tester for AC electrical outlets
RAID array), multiple processors, or other power-
• Multimeter probe locations when testing an AC
hungry components.
outlet’s hot-to-neutral circuit
• A power supply is more efficient at 30 to 70 percent
• Multimeter probe locations when testing an AC
of its full capacity rating.
outlet’s hot-to-ground circuit

Power Supply Output

Two ways to determine whether a power supply is providing

the proper voltages to the components of the computer:

• Using a multimeter to measure the actual voltages

• Use of a PC power supply tester
 CHAPTER 4

Introduction • After running even for a short while like other

components on a laptop CPUs produce heat.
• Central processing unit (CPU)
• Heat sinks and cooling fans are usually attached on
➢ Central processor, main processor or just
top of the CPU to keep them cool and running
processor
smoothly.
➢ Electronic circuitry within a computer that
executes instructions that make up a Internal Components of a CPU
computer program.
• 3 main parts of a CPU
• CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and
➢ ALU
input/output (I/O) operations specified by the
➢ CU
instructions in the program.
➢ Memory Unit
• The computer industry used the term "central
processing unit" as early as 1955
• Most modern CPUs are microprocessors, where the
CPU is contained on a single metal-oxide-
semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit (IC) chip.
• An IC that contains a CPU may also contain memory,
peripheral interfaces, and other components of a
computer (microcontrollers or systems on a chip
(SoC)).
• Multi-core processor
➢ a single chip or "socket" containing two or • Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
more CPUs called "cores" ➢ Performs mathematical, logical, and decision
• Array processors or vector processors operations.
➢ Multiple processors that operate in parallel, ➢ Arithmetic unit – Addition, subtraction,
with no unit considered central multiplication, and division.
➢ Logic unit – responsible for comparing,
What does CPU look like? selecting, matching and merging different
data or information.
• Silicon chip in the shape of a square or rectangle with
• Control Unit (CU)
millions of microscopic transistors
➢ Directs all the processor’s operations.
• On the bottom and backside are hundreds of short,
➢ It’s where the CPU reads and interprets
rounded, metallic connector pins.
requests from memory and transforms them
Where can I find the CPU? into a series of signals (binary).
➢ The CU calls the ALU to perform the
• A CPU’s connector pins plug into corresponding holes necessary calculations.
in a socket found on the motherboard of a laptop. ➢ It also coordinates all input/output devices
• The notched corner of a CPU helps you guide it (pin- to transfer or receive instructions.
side-down) properly into the compatible socket • Memory Unit
located on the motherboard. ➢ To store data or instructions and
• A small lever secures the CPU in place. intermediate results.
CPU’s Get Hot
 ➢ Divided into primary memory and secondary Some of the famous Intel CPU families are:
memory to supply data to other units of the
Celeron
CPU.
• Celeron is a brand name given by Intel to a number of
different low-end IA-32 and x86-64
• Transistors • Celeron brand will often have less cache memory, or
➢ To carry out calculations, binary information have advanced features intentionally disabled.
(ones and zeros) is stored in these
microscopic switches. Pentium

How does CPU Work? • Greek word pente (πεντε), meaning "five"
• Intel's 80x86 processors (8086–80486),
• Take requests from programs, applications, • 80586 using that convention
peripherals, (like, the keyboard, mouse, and printer)
and interpret what they need. Core i3

Differences Between CPU • A family of dual core, 64-bit, x86 CPUs from Intel
intended for entry-level desktop and laptop
• CPUs are also differentiated on the basis of their computers.
usage. Since every device has different requirements, • Introduced in 2010
they also need different CPUs for them. These CPUs • The Core i3 chips do not include the Turbo Boost
are divided on the basis of the devices on which CPUs feature, which is found in i5 and i7 chips.
are going to be used.
Core i5
Desktop CPUs
• Dual and quad core
• These CPUs have up to 32 CPU cores or maybe more • 64-bit, x86
than that. • Introduced in 2009.
• May also include integrated graphics with them. • The Core i5 chips are the midrange CPUs in the Core
"i" line between the entry-level i3 and the high-
Laptop CPUs
performance i7 series.
• These CPUs also include integrated graphics.
Core i7
• Not replaceable
• The CPUs made for laptops consume less power and • 64-bit x86 CPUs
also generates less heat as compared to desktop • 8 cores
• Introduced in 2008 as the successor to Core 2.
Server CPUs
• Were the high-end CPUs in the Core "i" line prior to
• These CPUs can have huge numbers of CPU cores up the i9 in 2017.
to 78 or more. Yet, these CPUs can also be used in • Intel's Xeon chips, which use the same architecture,
desktops. have more enterprise features.
• Can have to work in 24-hour working servers, hence
Core i9
they are also very expensive.
• Intel and AMD both are the leading CPU • 18 cores
manufacturer in the market • 2017
• Became the top model in the Core "i" series.
Intel (Integrated Electronics)
• Designed for high-performance computing and
• Intel was founded on July 18, 1968, by gaming, the 3.3 GHz i9 chip can be overclocked to 4.5
semiconductor pioneers Robert Noyce and Gordon GHz.
Moore, who had left Fairchild Semiconductor.
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
• Originally called “NM Electronics”.
• “Intel,” - Integrated Electronics, from a company • (AMD) is an American multinational semiconductor
called Intelco. company based in Santa Clara, California.
 • Develops computer processors and related • It is AMD's top-of-the-line Ryzen processor -- at least
technologies for business and consumer markets. until the Ryzen 3000 CPUs arrive with a new Zen 2
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a US global architecture, reportedly later in 2019.
semiconductor company specializing in the
development of high-performance computer
processors and graphics processing units (GPUs). Ryzen 9

Opteron • A new addition to AMD's desktop processor lineup,

offering amazing levels of performance with up to 16
• Opteron is AMD's x86 former server and workstation
cores and 32 threads.
processor line
• Perfect for serious workloads.
• First processor which supported the AMD64
instruction set architecture (known generically as Features to consider for buying CPU’s
x86-64 or AMD64).
• Released on April 22, 2003 • Cores
• The most-recently released Opteron CPUs are the • Cache
Piledriver-based Opteron 4300 and 6300 series • Socket Compatibility
processors, codenamed "Seoul" and "Abu Dhabi" • GPU
respectively. • Frequency
• Thermal Design Power
AMD A10
Code Name – Both Intel and AMD have adapted the use of this
• AMD A10 is marketed as an APU. to distinguish among revisions of their CPUs.
• This is best for gamers on an extremely tight budget.
• The Intel i5 is a powerful processor, but its onboard Fan Assembly – you must remove this to get to the systems
graphics are quite inferior when compared to the CPU.
A10. Intel and AMD – two big companies that make CPU.
AMD A12

• AMD A12-9720P (7th Gen) is a lower-mid-range

laptop processor.
• Quad core
• Supports only one computing thread per core.

Ryzen 3

• Low-end performance 64-bit quad-core x86

microprocessors introduced by AMD in late-2017.
• Ryzen 3 is marketed toward the low-end
performance market.

Ryzen 5

• Mid-range performance 64-bit quad and hexa-cores

x86 microprocessors introduced by AMD in March of
2017.
• Is positioned against Intel's mid-range mainstream
Core i5 processors, offering competitive performance
at lower prices.

Ryzen 7

• Eight-core 16-thread 3.7GHz processor

 CHAPTER 5

Introduction ATX – Advanced Technology extended

• There are two types of motherboard features— • Latest motherboards, designed by ATX form factor
standard features that are found on every • In this motherboard, we find MPGA Processor
motherboard and additional features only found on sockets, DDR Ram slots, PCI slots, AGP slots, Primary
some motherboards. and secondary IDE interfaces, SATA connectors
• 20 pin and 24 pin ATX power connector and ports.
Motherboard Features and Installation
Standard Motherboard Features
Types of Motherboards
Standard motherboard features include:
• XT – extended Technology
• AT – Advanced Technology • CPU socket
• Baby AT – Baby Advanced Technology • RAM slots
• ATX – Advanced Technology extended • Chipset
• PCI expansion card slots
XT – extended Technology
• AGP/PCI Express expansion slot (for video adaptor)
• These are old model motherboard. • Hard drive/optical drive connectors (IDE/SATA)
• We find old model processor socket LIF (Low • Floppy drive connector
Insertion Force) sockets, ram slots Dimms and ISA • Power connectors (to accept power from the PSU)
(Industry Standard Architecture) Slots • Connectors for CPU and case fans
• 12pin Power Connector and no ports. • Keyboard socket
• ISA slots for add-on card and no ports. There are no • Mouse port
connectors and add-on cards for ports. • Serial/parallel port
• USB ports
AT – Advanced Technology
CPU SOCKET
• Advanced Technology Motherboards have PGA (Pin
Grid Array) Socket, SD Ram slots, 20pin power • CPU socket or CPU slot contains one or more
connector PCI slots and ISA slots. mechanical components providing mechanical and
electrical connections between a microprocessor and
Baby AT – Baby Advanced Technology
a printed circuit board (PCB).
• Baby AT Motherboards have the combination of XT • This allows for placing and replacing the central
and AT. processing unit (CPU) without soldering.
• They have both slot type processor sockets and PGA
RAM SLOT
processor sockets
• SD Ram slots and DDR Ram slots, PCI slots and ISA • A memory slot or RAM slot is what allows computer
slots memory (RAM) chip/stick to be inserted into the
• 12 pin power connector and 20pin power connector computer.
and ports. • Depending on the motherboard, there will usually be
2 to 4 memory slots (sometimes more on high-end
motherboards) and are what determine the type of
RAM used with the computer.
CHIPSET • Cheap motherboards are equipped with a 4-pins
connector.
• Chipset is a set of electronic components in an
• More expensive “overclocking” motherboards have
integrated circuit known as a "Data Flow
8-pin connectors.
Management System" that manages the data flow
• The extra 4 pins ensure that enough power can be
between the processor, memory and peripherals.
provided to the CPU when overclocking.
PCI EXPANSION CARD SLOT
KEYBOARD SOCKET
• "Peripheral Component Interconnect."
• The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN connector used for
• PCI is a hardware bus used for adding internal
connecting keyboards and mice to a PC compatible
components to a desktop computer.
computer system.
• For example, a PCI card can be inserted into a PCI slot
• Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2
on a motherboard, providing additional I/O ports on
series of personal computers, with which it was
the back of a computer.
introduced in 1987.
AGP/PCI EXPRESS EXPANSION SLOT (FOR VIDEO ADAPTOR)
MOUSE PORT and KEYBOARD SOCKETS
• Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) was designed as a
• The PS/2 (Personal System/2) port, also referred to as
high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a
the mouse port or keyboard port
video card to a computer system, primarily to assist
• Developed by IBM.
in the acceleration of 3D computer graphics.
• It is used to connect a computer mouse or keyboard
• It was originally designed as a successor to PCI-type
to an IBM compatible computer.
connections for video cards.
• The PS/2 port is a mini-DIN plug that contains six pins
HARD DRIVE/OPTICAL DRIVE CONNECTORS (IDE/SATA) and is still sometimes found on all IBM compatible
computers.
• Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is a standard
interface for connecting a motherboard to storage SERIAL/PARALLEL PORT
devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM/DVD drives.
• A serial port is able to transmit a single stream of
• The original IDE had a 16-bit interface that connected
data at a time.
two devices to a single-ribbon cable.
• A parallel port is able to transmit multiple data
• SATA technology – a connecter interface primarily
streams at a time.
used for computer bus connections in storage
applications. In this application, the cables are used USB PORT
to connect a mass storage device (e.g. hard disk
drives, optical drives, solid-state memory drives) to a • USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, an industry
host bus adapter such as a motherboard. standard for short-distance digital data
communications.
FLOPPY DRIVE CONNECTOR • USB ports allow USB devices to be connected to each
other with and transfer digital data over USB cables.
• A floppy cable is a ribbon cable found in PC's that
• They can also supply electric power across the cable
allow one or more floppy disk drives to connect to a
to devices that need it.
computer.
This battery serves two purposes: it powers the PC system
POWER CONNECTORS (TO ACCEPT POWER FROM THE PSU)
clock that keeps track of the date and time, and it also
• Power connectors are devices that allows an provides power to the CMOS (complementary metal
electrical current to pass through it for the exclusive oxide semiconductor) to store the BIOS (basic
purpose of providing power to a device. input/output system) settings.

CONNECTORS FOR CPU AND CASE FANS Optional Motherboard Features

• Nowadays it is the P4, or EPS connector, to provide Additional features that may or may not be present on a
the CPU with power. motherboard (depending on price and quality) include:
 • On-board video adaptor CPU and Motherboard Care
➢ saves on your having to purchase a separate
• Here’s how to keep your investment safe until they
video adaptor.
are ready to go into the PC.
➢ usually, poorer quality and provide less
➢ Double-check that the CPU and
power than a separate video adaptor
motherboard are compatible.
➢ On-board video adaptors use a portion of
➢ Keep CPUs in their packaging until required.
system RAM for graphics processing (usually
➢ Store the motherboard in the original
between 8 and 64 MB, the more RAM they
packaging.
use, the better they perform)
➢ Never store anything any other parts in the
• On-board modem
motherboard box.
➢ For those who still use a modem or
connect to the web or send faxes, this
can save on having to buy a separate
modem.
• On-board network adaptor
➢ More and more PCs connect to a
network nowadays, and an on-board
network card can be a useful feature.
• Additional USB ports
➢ With so many USB devices you can’t get
enough USB ports!
• FireWire ports
➢ Some devices (especially video cameras
and external hard drives/optical drives)
either require a FireWire port or can
make use of either a USB or FireWire
port.

Motherboard Speeds

• The CPU speed isn’t the only place where you’re

going to come across clock speeds. Just as CPUs
have an operating speed (nowadays measured in
GHz) motherboards have an operating speed, or,
more accurately, the motherboard
communicates with different devices at different
speeds.
• There are two speed terms to bear in mind:
➢ FSB or Front Side Bus. The Front Side
Bus connects the processor, chipset,
RAM, and video adaptor AGP socket
and the speed (measured in MHz)
refers to the data transfer speed. The
faster the speed, the faster the
motherboard (and more expensive the
motherboard).
➢ RAM speed. The RAM operates
internally at a specific speed (measured
in MHz, like FSB). The faster the speed,
the faster the system.
 CHAPTER 6

Determining the amount of RAM in your PC • RIMM is actually trademarked as a word; it’s not an
acronym like DIMM, despite what many people
• First, you can check the RAM count during the boot
assume.
process (some of the newer machines hide the RAM
count, even if it’s enabled in BIOS). 184-pin DDR DIMMs
• Second, you can check the amount of RAM that
• Five inches long and look a lot like 168-pin DIMMs,
Windows recognizes from within the OS.
but with only one notch and more connectors.
• Third, you can remove the PC case cover and
• These are known as double data rate (DDR) memory.
physically examine the RAM sticks installed on the
• The notches are different from 168-pin DIMMs, so
motherboard.
these RAM types are not interchangeable.
BIOS programs display the RAM count in kilobytes (KB). To
convert this figure to megabytes (MB), divide it by 1024. 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs

Identifying types of RAMS • DDR2 RAM sticks are physically the same size as the
184-pin DDR DIMMs
RAM comes in several standardized form factors, each • Notch is in a different location and there are
compatible with specific types of systems. obviously more connectors.
• DDR2 uses a 240-pin DIMM that’s not compatible
• Modern desktop systems use full-sized dual inline
with DDR RAM slots
memory modules (DIMMs) of various pin
configurations (168, 184, and 240). • DDR2 is expected to perform better than DDR due to
lower voltage requirements, clock doubling on the
• Older desktop models may still support banks of
chips’ input/output circuits, and special prefetch
single inline memory modules (SIMMs).
buffers.
• Laptop computers use scaled-down DIMM versions
called Small Outline DIMMs, or SO-DIMMs. Both DDR and DDR2 SDRAM can be used in motherboards that
support dual-channel architecture to increase throughput.
72-pin SIMMs Single Inline Memory Modules (SIMMs)
These motherboards typically have one or two pairs of brightly
• Four inches long and have 72 physical pins (edge colored RAM slots; you’ll need to install a matched pair of
connectors) on each side, but only one side is actually either DDR or DDR2 RAM sticks into slots of the same color.
used for operation.
Removing and Installing RAM
• Only find SIMM RAM on very old PCs.
Follow these steps to remove DIMM or RIMM RAM from your
168-pin DIMMs
PC:
• Five inches long and have 84 physical pins (edge
1. Locate the retention clips on either end of the RAM
connectors) on each side, and all 168 connectors are
module.
used.
2. Press outward on the clips to disengage them from
• The board has two notches on the bottom: one near
the retention slots on the sides of the RAM sticks
the center, and the other near an end.
3. Press down on the clips firmly and evenly. The
184-pin RIMMs Rambus Dynamic RAM (RDRAM) retention clips act as levers to lift the DIMM sticks up
and slightly out of the RAM slots.
• Type of RAM you might find if you are working with 4. Remove the DIMM sticks and place them on your
an old Intel Pentium III or Pentium 4 motherboard. anti-static mat, or in an anti-static bag.
• You call a stick of RDRAM a RIMM.
To install a DIMM or RIMM:

1. Orient the DIMM or RIMM so that the guide notches

on the RAM module match up to the guide ridges on
the RAM socket.
2. Press the RAM stick firmly and evenly straight down
into the socket until the retention clips engage the
retention notches on the ends of the RAM stick.